Jamal Saleh Sabai, 43, this afternoon admitted in court to failing to declare the importation of almost 170 kilograms of shisha tobacco on a ship arriving from Tripoli.

The captain of MV Shada, who claimed it was a “genuine mistake”, failed to declare that he was importing some 10,000 cigarettes and 168 kilograms of shisha tobacco. The consignment is estimated to be worth almost €16,000 including just over €5,200 in duties and almost €3,500 in Value Added Tax.

The court heard that he would have to pay a €47,300 fine, equivalent to three times the value of the seized items. Mr Sabai’s lawyer, Arthur Azzopardi, said his client was admitting his mistake and knew that this was one of the consequences. There is an 18-strong crew on the vessel.

Magistrate Francesco Depasquale, who heard Mr Sabai plead guilty to the charges brought against him, postponed the case to Friday giving a court-appointed expert time to estimate the value of the seized sea vessel which remains in the custody of the Customs Department.

In the meantime, Mr Sabai was granted bail against a deposit of €5,000 – which he paid there and then in €50 and €20 notes – and a personal guarantee of €30,000.

Police Inspector Rennie Stivala prosecuted while lawyer Arthur Azzopardi appeared for the accused.